Ken Fischer’s 10 Principles of Effective Leadership

Last week at Leaders Connect I had the pleasure to host my friend, Ken Fischer. If you were not able to attend, here’s an opportunity to view the video of some of this session. I have also included Ken’s leadership tips for you to review.

Below are 10 principles of effective leadership taken from Ken Fischer’s Book, “Everybody In, Nobody Out: Inspiring Community at Michgan’s University Musical Society.”

Hire people of proven or potential talent and then build a great team with them. Together with your team, create an inspiring mission and ambitious goals and then give your team the opportunity to succeed, individually and collectively.
Learn from the best. When I entered the field, I randomly asked presenters and managers who they considered to be the top presenters in the country. I sought those who were consistently named, and they became my mentors and good friends.
Be willing to adapt. If you’re continually learning, you’ll be exposed to valuable perspectives and fresh ideas that will enable you to stay ahead of the game and make the changes that will keep your organization successful.
Share your passion and enthusiasm. I’m excited to be able to work in the performing arts field at a respected organization in a remarkably supportive community with talented staff members and dedicated volunteers. I share this enthusiasm wherever I can and invite people to join in.
Serve the field. The field needs good people to serve on grant panels, conference committees, boards of directors, and other volunteer positions. I can tell you from experience that the return on the time you invest pays off significantly in professional development opportunities, benefits to your organization, and new friendships.
Surround yourself with young people. Give time to interns, students, younger staff members, and emerging leaders. Listen to them and share your knowledge and experience, and be kind. Who knows? Some day you may be working for one of them!
Have an overarching relationship policy that guides your work. Mine is “Everybody In, Nobody Out,” which I learned from my mentor, the late Patrick Hayes, founder of the Washington Performing Arts Society. This policy of inclusion, I believe, was key to our organizational transformation.
Get out of the office. Go to where people are–their homes, stores, community centers, churches, offices–to sustain existing relationships and build new ones. Twice a month for example, I walk the halls of the U-M Fleming Administration Building, connecting with university executive officers and their staff in a way I never could if I depended on formal appointments.
Create authentic partnerships by practicing Sharon King’s four relationship principles–communication, cooperation, vulnerability, reciprocity. Vulnerability and reciprocity are the most important and most challenging because they require humility and putting yourself in your partner’s shoes.
Learn people’s names and their correct pronunciations; then practice what you learn. A great way to practice is to introduce people to one another and say something interesting about each person when you do.